Greetings my fellow denizens of darkness! As the winter approaches here in the Southern Hemisphere, thought it would be a good opportunity to give you a snapshot of some of my favourite releases of 2024 so far in a new Vox and Hops segment I’m calling Mochi Madness.
Necrophobic - The Twilight Grey (Century Media, https://centurymedia.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-twilight-grey-24-bit-hd-audio)
Another great release from the blackened death metal veterans, who I think are really at the peak of their powers. The title track is maybe the best song they’ve ever released!
Dödsrit - Nocturnal Will (Wolves of Hades, https://dodsrit.bandcamp.com/album/nocturnal-will)
Those angry, crusty black metal Swedes have put out another stellar release, this time leaning harder into the melodic leads than ever before. It’s not often that black metal reminds me of Iron Maiden, but Dödsrit managed it with these riffs!
Maridia - Mouth of Ruin (https://maridia-official.bandcamp.com/album/mouth-of-ruin)
This fantastic debut album from this Swedish post-hardcore outfit has a guitar tone that could shatter your skull. Wait, are all the bands on my list Swedish? No! Because next up is-
Resin Tomb - Cerebral Purgatory (Transcending Obscurity, https://resintombaus.bandcamp.com/album/cerebral-purgatory)
The abrasive and crushing debut full-length album from this Aussie death metal five-piece. The sonic equivalent of having magma injected into your spinal canal, and hey, some folks like that kind of thing!
Vemod - The Deepening (Prophecy Productions, https://vemod.bandcamp.com/album/the-deepening-deluxe-edition)
Gorgeous atmospheric black metal release from Norwegian band Vemod, their first since 2012. Beautiful soundscapes unfold on this epic release.
My Dying Bride - A Mortal Binding (https://mydyingbrideofficial.bandcamp.com/album/a-mortal-binding)
Great release that will please fans of old MDB in particular. This album really captures the unique, scathing vocal style of Aaron Stainthorpe, which is enormous and acidic live but sometimes gets lost on their studio albums. The Apocalyptist is a particularly massive track.
Asarhaddon - Besenken (Vendetta, https://vendetta-records.bandcamp.com/album/besenken)
Essentially a single release, but the track Nimmermehr is my pick for best song of the year so far. Soulful, crust-infused black metal from Germany.
Acathexis - Immerse (https://acathexis.bandcamp.com/album/immerse)
An project featuring Jacob from Mare Cognitum, this is an intense, brooding black metal release with fantastic screeched vocals.
Engulfed - Unearthly Litanies of Despair (Dark Descent, https://engulfed.bandcamp.com/album/unearthly-litanies-of-despair)
Finally, although I haven’t had much time to spin this one, we finally have the second full-length from one of death metal’s most underrated bands, Engulfed from Türkiye. Brutal, churning OSDM at its best.
That’s it from me, Mochi the Metallion. Until next time!
